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‘Galaxy Gear’ trademark filing reveals Samsung’s iWatch

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 6, 2013

We know from before that Samsung has been looking to beat Tim Cook & Co. to market by releasing its own smarwatch ahead of Apple's rumored iWatch device. And as Apple continues to apply for numerous iWatch trademark filings around the world, there has been little solid evidence in the form of patent or trademark filings to indicate the Galaxy maker's seriousness about wearables.

A newly discovered Samsung trademark filing with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) changes all that. Dated July 29, the filing seeks to protect Galaxy Gear, a name for “wearable digital electronic devices in the form of a wristwatch, wrist band or bangle capable of providing access to the Internet and for sending and receiving phone calls, electronic mails and messages"...

Philips to expand its Hue line with LightStrips and Bloom bulbs

Cody Lee ∙ August 6, 2013

We're huge fans of Philips' line of Hue lightbulbs here at iDB. The iPhone-controlled LED bulbs are completely customizable, allowing you to dynamically change the colors and lighting of a room via the easy-to-use companion app.

Currently, Hue offerings are limited to the $199 starter pack—which includes 3 LED bulbs and a Wi-Fi bridge—and additional 50W LED bulbs. But it looks like Philips is looking to expand the line with LightStrips and Bloom bulbs...

Zynga shutting down OMGPOP’s gaming portal website next month

Cody Lee ∙ Updated May 3, 2017

If you've ever played the game 'Draw Something,' then you're familiar with OMGPOP's work. The game studio struck it big last year when its pictionary app hit 20 million downloads in just 5 weeks, inspiring Zynga to buy the company for close to $200 million.

But unfortunately, that's about where OMGPOP's success story ends. Since the acquisition, the studio has been gravely affected by Zynga's financial struggles. Its home office in New York has been closed, and now its popular gaming portal site is shutting down...

Apple posts new ‘FaceTime Every Day’ ad

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

Apple has posted a new TV spot to its YouTube channel and website tonight called 'FaceTime Every Day.' It's the third in a series of advertisements, and like the others—Music Every Day and Photos Every Day—it focuses on a single feature.

More specifically, the ad focuses on Apple's FaceTime video calling feature. And inline with the previous commercials in the series, it shows how a variety of different people from around the globe use the feature in their every day lives. Watch...

Hot Watch: an iOS-compatible smartwatch with some innovative features

Cody Lee ∙ August 5, 2013

If you're still searching for proof that there's a market for smartwatches, look no further than Kickstarter. We've seen a number of projects surface on the crowdsourced funding site—most of which went on to be successful—and today we have another one for you.

Meet the HOT Watch, by Dallas-based think tank PHTL. Now, don't let the cheesy name fool you, this watch is packing a ton of features. It has all of the standard smartwatch stuff, like push notifications, as well as innovative stuff like 'Hands on Talk' technology...

Apple asking Internet radio stations for iTunes Radio cover art

Cody Lee ∙ August 5, 2013

As its iTunes Radio launch draws closer, Apple has begun sending out emails to owners of Internet radio stations asking that they provide cover art for future use on iTunes and mobile devices.The move suggests that the company is looking to feature independent streaming music stations, alongside its premium iTunes content, in the upcoming service...

Apple launches ‘Takeback Program’ for third-party USB power adapters

Cody Lee ∙ August 5, 2013

In light of recent events involving the safety of third-party chargers for iOS devices, Apple has launched a new trade-in program for all unauthorized USB power adapters. The company made the announcement on its support site this afternoon.

The 'Takeback Program' officially kicks off next week, and will allow users who have concerns about their USB power adapters to either drop them off at an Apple store for recycling, or trade them in towards the purchase of an official Apple power adapter...

Aplo: a minimalistic theme with depth

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

An interface can be minimalistic and still be interesting. It can be "flat" yet still have depth in spades. That is, apparently, the mantra that renowned iOS designer, Sentry, subscribed to as he meticulously slaved away at his latest jailbreak release.

A theme packing in support for well over 300 different apps, Aplo is "flat" done right. We've had the pleasure of going hands on with the theme over the last few days, and, in typical iDB fashion, we've created an in-depth video that showcases the inner workings of the theme. You don't want to miss this.

Biometric expert breaks down how an iPhone fingerprint sensor could work

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

After months of rumors and speculation, evidence popped up last month seemingly confirming that future iOS devices will have built-in fingerprint sensors. Code was found hidden in iOS 7 that refers directly to the feature, suggesting we could see it as soon as this year.

The idea, though, of Apple putting fingerprint sensors in its mobile devices spawns a number of questions like: what will it be used for, how will it work, and how durable will it be? Luckily, biometric authentication expert Geppy Parziale has decided to impart some of his wisdom...

New iOS vulnerability lets malware slip through

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated December 29, 2016

Apple's iOS is generally considered the most reliable and secure mobile platform out there so little wonder that iPhones and iPads are the gadgets of choice of mobile workers everywhere. Despite its Unix underpinnings, iOS of course isn't bullet-proof - no software is. But unlike Google's malware-infested Android, you don't hear every day about an iOS weakness so fatal it opens the door to malware.

Unfortunately, today is precisely that day as researchers from the Georgia Tech Information Security Center (GTISC) publish details about a newly discovered iOS vulnerability that allows malware installation via seemingly innocuous apps.

The weakness circumvents Apple’s security measures and paves the way to "significant security threats to the iOS platform." We're expecting a swift response on Apple's part and a fix via a future update...

‘No More Folders’ removes folder backgrounds and mini grids inside folder icons

Jeff Benjamin ∙ August 5, 2013

It's not unusual to see a random jailbreak tweak appear on the Cydia store that features no real practical application. For example, the tweak may present some new visual change, but it's not exactly useful, and in fact, at least in some cases, the tweak could make your device less user friendly.

That's not to say that there is no place for tweaks of this sort, there clearly is, otherwise developers wouldn't keep producing them. The latest such tweak to fall into this category is No More Folders. This is a tweak that hides the folder backgrounds and grids, essentially making the folder invisible while closed.

Have a look past the break as we showcase how No More Folders looks and performs on video.

Slide2Dismiss: quickly remove banner notifications with a swipe

Jeff Benjamin ∙ August 5, 2013

Looking for a way to quickly dismiss banner notifications in style? If so, check out Slide2Dismiss, a brand new jailbreak tweak that's available for free on Cydia's BigBoss repo.

Slide2Dismiss is an extremely simple tweak with a singular purpose: to allow you to quickly dismiss banner notifications using a stylish slide gesture. Have a look at our video walkthrough after the break for a demonstration of the tweak in action.